The European Research Council was launched in February 2007 to support investigator-led fundamental research at an EU level. They publish calls for starting level and advanced level independent research grants, both of which can be up to five years long and in any research field, including social sciences and the humanities.

European research activities are funded under framework programmes, and the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) started at the beginning of 2007. Within these Framework programmes are opportunities for support on various levels, with an emphasis on creating and strengthening the European Research Area. Support for individuals and host-driven networks is provided under the ‘People’ work programme, which includes Marie Curie actions, and the UK Research Office provides clear and useful information for individuals and groups who wish to apply for funding.

The Eurpoean Science Foundation (ESF) is committed to facilitating co-operation and collaboration in European research, and it does this through a number of mechanisms such as supporting conferences, networks, workshops and programmes.

EMBO nurtures training and careers in the biosciences at all stages of the scientific career path through courses, workshops conferences and fellowships - and most recently through the Young Investigator Programme, which promotes Europe’s best young scientists in the early stages of their research careers.

The HFSP supports novel, innovative and interdisciplinary basic research focused on the complex mechanisms of living organisms; topics range from molecular and cellular approaches to systems and cognitive neuroscience. A clear emphasis is placed on novel collaborations that bring biologists together with scientists from fields such as physics, mathematics, chemistry, computer science and engineering to focus on problems at the frontier of the life sciences. Research grants and fellowships are available from the post-doctoral level upwards, and young scientists from anywhere in the world can apply for a fellowship to work in the UK, other EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan, The Republic of Korea, Switzerland or the United States of America.

The NATO Programme for Science for Peace and Security offers support for scientific collaboration in the priority research areas of defence against terrorism, countering other threats to security, and other country-specific priorities.

The World Universities Network is an international alliance of leading higher-education institutions. It runs a Research Mobility Programme which funds a period of overseas study for postgraduate and junior faculty to establish and cultivate research links between the WUN partners in Europe, the US and China.

The Access4EU – International Research and Development funding database webportal provides European researchers with information about Research, Technology Development and programmes around the world. The database contains information about funding opportunities for European researchers in 11 countries around the world; Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, USA.